Women?s Premier League Round 7 Preview
Your reporter sits somewhat heavier in the chair after a considerable indulgence on chocolate Easter eggs. I?m sure the elite players of the league have no such problems and are ready to go for some important matches on Sunday.
The league currently has three undefeated sides grouped atop the competition table; those being Illawarra Stingrays, Sydney University and NWS Koalas. In fourth place are the Marconi Stallions, four points behind the leaders. This weekend is significant in that these four teams meet in battle; Illawarra Stingrays coming up against NWS Koalas at J.J.Kelly Park and Sydney University hosting Marconi Stallions at Sydney University Oval.
The Stingrays versus Koalas clash promises to be an exciting game of football. The Stingrays displays so far this season can be best described as spasmodic. The talented premiers seem to hit the ON switch for periods of each game but are yet to come up with a 90 minute performance. The worrying thing for their premiership opponents is that 20 minutes of dazzle has been all it?s take in the majority of matches for Illawarra to achieve the required result. Heaven help the side that comes up against them when they push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor! Heyman, Carney and O?Connor offer a three pronged attacking missile which is hard to disarm. But Illawarra have the depth of talent across the park to compensate if these three do have an off day. This is a seriously good football team.
The Koalas have been the surprise packet of 2011. After a moderate set of results last season the Koalas managed to strengthen some positions with off season acquisitions like Jessica Seaman, Britt Simmons and overseas import Micaela Damas. Each of these players has made a significant contribution; their efforts complimented by the skills of youngsters like Rachel Perrins and Maree Patikas. Coach Gerry Gomez feels that his side have taken their opportunities this season; an area he felt that they fell down in last year. The Koalas were dominant but wasteful against Macarthur Rams in their most recent match but they looked like a side that have confidence in their own ability. This spells danger for any side they meet this season. What better way to ensure respect than to knock over the Premiers on their own turf?
I?m looking forward to this match. The Stingrays are overdue to flex their muscles but in NWS Koalas they?ll find a willing opponent. All roads lead south for this one on Sunday.
The Sydney University versus Marconi Stallions encounter also offers plenty to savour for fans of the Football NSW Women?s Premier League. Here are two sides, brimming with talent, who have made a bright start to the season.
Sydney University have been highly regarded by many when talk has turned to this season title contenders. Last year?s Platinum Medal winner Olivia Kennedy has been joined in 2011 by players of the calibre of Jenna Kingsley, Sam Spackman, Heidi Van Weeren, Caitlin Jarvie and Alana Clifford. These additions have taken the team to the next level; a fact reflected in Sydney University?s results so far this season. The University defence has been watertight, only conceding three goals, whereas their attack has provided plenty of bite. This game looms as their toughest test since the 2-2 draw against NWS Koalas so you can be sure that the girls will be ready for a five star performance.
Marconi Stallions have been hard to gauge so far this season. They started with a bang when they demolished Central Coast FC in round 1 but, since then, have struggled to play their best football. Wins over Manly United FC and Inter Lions aren?t anything to be sneezed at but Marconi had to come from behind in each game. Something isn?t quite clicking into place with the Marconi jigsaw puzzle but it can?t be through a lack of suitable talent. The youngsters who impressed so much in 2010 are continuing to develop whilst the likes of Trudy Camilleri, Jodie Bain and Renee Tomkins add that essential blend of experience. The Stallions need a big effort here to prove their title aspirations aren?t a pipe dream.
Another crowd pleasing match up here between two sides on the rise. Anything could happen and probably will!
In the south west at Lynwood Park the Macarthur Rams meet Blacktown Spartans FC. Rams are in the firing line, just off the leading pack. The Spartans, however, are still chasing their first win of 2011.
The high point of Macarthur?s season thus far was certainly their draw with Illawarra Stingrays. The rams played somewhere very close to their best that evening but a season ending injury to Renee Cartwright coupled with various other niggles to other team members has set Matt Turvey?s team a tough road. Macarthur were unable to challenge NWS Koalas in their last match with the final score flattering the Rams. With Linda Dudek back after missing the Koalas game the Macarthur side will have more cohesion in attack. Lauren Ralston was a stand out for Macarthur in defence against NWS and it will be hoped that she can repeat that performance on Sunday. A win is vital to Macarthur so they can remain in touch with the league leaders.
With some significant upheaval to their squad at the start of the season, Blacktown have found themselves behind the eight ball in the first six rounds of competition. Bronwyn Jarvis continues to hold the Spartans defence together despite playing through injury. Doris Osman has obviously been a strong addition to the squad plus there?s talk of some ?cavalry? arriving on the horizon. That will be good news for Blacktown who are giving it their all despite their lack of success so far. Coach Neil Ross is staying positive, feeling that a couple of wins may be just around the corner. These two sides drew in a pre season trial so Blacktown might consider themselves a chance for an upset win on Sunday.
Macarthur may not strike fear into their opponents hearts like they did in the days of Ledbrook and Brogan but they still have enough going for them to test any opposition on their day. Blacktown need points badly, if only to prove to themselves that they can compete at this level.
Western NSW Panthers and Manly United FC meet at Alec Lamberton Field in Bathurst. These two teams sit together on the premiership table with a similar three wins/three losses record.
Western NSW Panthers are on a roll, having put together successive wins over Blacktown Spartans and Sutherland Shire, the latter being a catch up game played on ANZAC Day at Seymour Shaw Park. Western may have lacked some confidence after a string of early losses but no they seem to be finding their stride. Alec Lamberton Field is usually their ?fortress? but the win over Blacktown was the Panthers first in four home games this season. Young Jenna Collingridge has been a find for Western this season, producing some bright attacking football. Western will be looking to Collingridge and experienced goalscorer Gillian Rosconi to cause Manly some headaches on Sunday.
Manly United FC started the season strongly, racking up a hat trick of wins before falling to defeats against NWS Koalas, Marconi Stallions and Sydney University. Each of those games could have gone either way and, if you check the competition table, you?ll find those three teams in the top four. That would make me think that Manly are not to be written off as contenders at this early stage. The Manly girls need to take their opportunities in front of goal; a problem that?s proven costly in at least two of their defeats. Sarah Roger has been Manly?s number one strike weapon this season and she?ll be keen to get back into goalscoring mode on Sunday. Captain Gill Foster has now had three games back from suspension and should be finding her best form also.
Manly United FC are expected to be in the mix come finals time. If that?s to be the case matches such as these are ones they need to take maximum points from. However, a reinvigorated Western Panthers side won?t be in any mood to stand aside for the visitors.
Sutherland Shire will travel to South Nowra?s Ison Park for their Sunday assignment against Southern Branch. These two teams are in the bottom half of the ladder though Sutherland?s form, at least, has shown plenty of improvement in recent weeks.
Southern Branch are yet to win a game this season, suffering a number of painful goal sprees against some of the league?s better qualified teams. With continuing problems as far as player numbers, injuries and Coach Shane Duffy?s blood pressure rising Southern are doing it tough. The side needs to find some of the grit which highlighted their performances towards the end of last season. Efforts like those would make games like this one very competitive. A win changes a lot of things in football and Southern could certainly use a ray of sunshine right now.
Sutherland Shire have been going along in promising fashion; a win over Inter Lions, a draw with Central Coast FC and a credible loss against Illawarra Stingrays. Unfortunately their momentum was lost somewhat on ANZAC Day when they suffered a 2-1 loss in a catch up game to Western NSW Panthers. Sutherland fans insist that they had much the better of that game but failed to take their chances. That?s a problem they?ll need to rectify by Sunday. A consistent, 90 minute performance could see Sutherland looking at another win but Coach Michael Michael will need to ensure his team don?t show up with any sign of complacency.
The result here could prove to be closer than expected. Whilst Sutherland have to be favourites Southern Branch will be hoping to send them home disappointed.
Our last match for preview sees Inter Lions playing host to Central Coast FC at Concord Oval. Both sides have struggled through the opening rounds though there have certainly been signs of life in recent matches. The three competition points will be keenly contested come Sunday.
Inter Lions are yet to win a match this season; their sole competition point coming from a draw with Macarthur Rams in round one. In recent weeks they have their chances against both Sutherland Shire and Marconi Stallions but have gone down in close finishes. Their effort against Marconi was a big improvement and may be a sign that last season?s Grand Finalists are ready to win. Heidi Makrillos has been outstanding for Inter this season. Coach Joe Baldacci has struggled to find the right combination with his side but is confident that the tide is turning. This is a must win game for the Lions.
Central Coast FC turned in a good effort in round six, sharing the points against Sutherland Shire at Pluim Park. After an unsettling start Central Coast have battled away admirably whilst still struggling somewhat to compete at this level. Their win over Western NSW Panthers showed that they are capable of coming up with the goods on a given day and there?s nothing to say that Inter Lions won?t offer that same opportunity on Sunday. A solid effort may see them singing the team victory song all the way back to Gosford.
The competition table reflects that this should be a close game. Looking at comparative performances against other sides in the league Inter Lions may have a slight edge but the form guide doesn?t always work as it?s supposed to in the Football NSW Women?s Premier League.
As I finish this week?s preview the rain is tumbling down outside. Let?s hope that Mother Nature doesn?t interfere with this weekend?s round of football. There?s more than one match worth seeing on Sunday and puddles never add to the spectacle.
I look forward to seeing you at the ground this weekend.
-By Ross Anderson
